Myocardial replacement fibrosis has been reported to occur in one-third of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and significant mitral regurgitation (MR). However, it remains unknown whether there are detectable changes in myocardial metabolism suggestive of inflammation or ischemia that accompany the development of fibrosis.
To characterize the burden and distribution of fluorine 18-labeled (18F) fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients with degenerative MVP and ventricular ectopy.
Prospective observational study of 20 patients with MVP and significant primary degenerative MR who were referred for mitral valve repair and underwent hybrid positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI). Ventricular arrhythmias were categorized as either complex (n?=?12) or minor (n?=?8). Coregistered hybrid 18F FDG-PET and MRI LGE images were assessed and categorized. Recruitment occurred in the new patient clinic of a mitral valve repair reference center. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Novobiocin-sodium(Albamycin).html l disease process. These findings warrant further investigation into whether imaging for myocardial inflammation, ischemia, and scar has a role in arrhythmic risk stratification and whether it provides incremental prognostic value in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation undergoing active surveillance.
In this pilot study, we demonstrate a novel association between degenerative MVP and FDG uptake, a surrogate for myocardial inflammation and/or ischemia. Such evidence of myocardial injury, even in asymptomatic patients, suggests an ongoing subclinical disease process. These findings warrant further investigation into whether imaging for myocardial inflammation, ischemia, and scar has a role in arrhythmic risk stratification and whether it provides incremental prognostic value in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation undergoing active surveillance.There is a paucity of data detailing cardiac remodeling in female athletes compared with male athletes. The lack of reference cardiac data for elite female basketball players or female athletes of similar size makes it difficult to differentiate athletic remodeling from potential underlying cardiac disorders in this population of athletes.
To assess cardiac structure and function in elite female basketball players.
This cross-sectional echocardiographic study included 140 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) athletes on active rosters for the 2017 season. The WNBA mandates annual preseason stress echocardiograms for each athlete. The WNBA has partnered with Columbia University to annually perform a review of these studies. Data analysis was performed from June 7, 2017, to October 5, 2017.
Echocardiographic variables included left ventricular (LV) dimensions, wall thickness, mass, prevalence of LV hypertrophy, aortic dimensions, right ventricular (RV) dimension, and right and left atrial size athletes (69.6%), concentric LVH in 7 athletes (30.4%), and concentric remodeling in 27 athletes (19.3%). Mean aortic root diameter was 3.1 cm (95% CI, 3.0-3.2). Only 2 athletes (1.4%) had guideline-defined aortic enlargement compared with a range of 18% to 42% for left and right ventricular and atrial enlargement.
In this study, increased cardiac dimensions were frequently observed in WNBA athletes. Both BSA and physiologic remodeling affected cardiac morphologic findings. This study may provide a framework to define the range of athletic cardiac remodeling exhibited by elite female basketball players.
In this study, increased cardiac dimensions were frequently observed in WNBA athletes. Both BSA and physiologic remodeling affected cardiac morphologic findings. This study may provide a framework to define the range of athletic cardiac remodeling exhibited by elite female basketball players.Solid organ transplants have declined significantly during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the US. Limited data exist regarding changes in heart transplant (HT).
To describe national and regional trends in waitlist inactivations, waitlist additions, donor recovery, and HT volume during COVID-19.
This descriptive cross-sectional study used publicly available data from the United Network for Organ Sharing and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using 8 prespecified United Network for Organ Sharing regions. Adult (18 years or older) HT candidates listed and deceased donors recovered between January 19 to May 9, 2020.
COVID-19 pandemic.
Changes in waitlist inactivations, waitlist additions, deceased donor recovery, and transplant volumes from the pre-COVID-19 (January 19-March 15, 2020) to the COVID-19 era (March 15-May 9, 2020). Density mapping and linear regression with interrupted time series analysis were used to characterize changes over time and changes by region.
Durin prevalence of COVID-19 cases. This has been accompanied by increased waitlist inactivations, decreased waitlist additions, and decreased donor recovery. Future studies are needed to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in waitlist mortality.
Heart transplant volumes have been significantly reduced in recent months, even in regions with a lower prevalence of COVID-19 cases. This has been accompanied by increased waitlist inactivations, decreased waitlist additions, and decreased donor recovery. Future studies are needed to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in waitlist mortality.The Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services and the Veterans Affairs Health Care System provide incentives for hospitals to reduce 30-day readmission and mortality rates. In contrast with the large body of evidence describing readmission and mortality in the Medicare system, it is unclear how heart failure readmission and mortality rates have changed during this period in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.
To evaluate trends in readmission and mortality after heart failure admission in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System, which had no financial penalties, in a decade involving focus on heart failure readmission reduction (2007-2017).
This cohort study used data from all Veterans Affairs-paid heart failure admissions from January 2007 to September 2017. All Veterans Affairs-paid hospital admissions to Veterans Affairs and non-Veterans Affairs facilities for a primary diagnosis of heart failure were included, when the admission was paid for by the Veterans Affairs. Data analyses were conducted from October 2018 to March 2020.